This is my take about jobs: about looking for a job; and finding jobs; and talking about why I want a job.
I’ve been a freelance designer for five years, and at this point I’m seeking a full-time position in addition to my freelance work. It’s not that I don’t love it, but man dentist appointments, new glasses and the mechanic are expensive. So, since I do most of my freelancing off-hours, I want a day job.
With a degree in graphic design, a great location near Boston and plenty of contacts in ‘the field’ I didn’t expect to still be looking six months in, but here I am. I’ve had my fair share of frustrations, the lack of contact after the interview, the waiting and hoping I’d get that call, the getting ready for interviews and the looking on Google Maps to see just how far away I’m going.
I’ve focused on full-time positions with benefits and all that, but I’ve also looked at contract jobs. What’s the big difference? For me it’s 1099 vs W2. Benefits vs work for a guarenteed amount of time. Working in an office vs sometimes working from home. This or that.
Contract jobs can offer a wide-range of things. For one it’ll be great stuff for the portfolio for the next job, but on the other, it’ll end at some point, unless you’re one of the lucky few who stay on afterwards. Benefits can be great, but that eats into your salary, so if you’re someone who doesn’t mind testing fate (and who doesn’t live in Massachusetts where you have to have health insurance) then you can go insurance-less and save a bundle. Unfortunately I know too many people being forced to do this due to hard times.
The issue I’m having with finding a job is good old competition. I’ve been one of the last applicants picked, but passed over for someone with either a little more experience, or a little less salary (or both!). While it’s great that places are hiring, it can be pretty frustrating when you’re not the one being hired.
The design world is not the only place soaked with too many applicants and not enough jobs. I made the observation the other day while in a store that many of the employees were middle-aged women, and very few were high school/college-aged kids. This is the summer, that place should have been crawling with ill-informed, uncaring school students saving up for their first car. I should know, that place was my first job when I was 16. Instead, they’re being passed up for people who may have tons of experience, and who would make the same pay (and honestly give customers a better experience).
This could work out for me after-all. Let’s see those school kids starting up their own businesses and hire designers to make them look good!
So, what boat are you in? Looking for a job? Just got a job? Given up on finding a job? Never going to go for a full-time job? Let me know so I’m not alone!
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Sean
I’ve been looking for a new job for over a year now. I have almost 10 years of experience and multiple industry certifications.
It isn’t any better on my side of the fence.
on July 27th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Ashley
Yeah in your field it’s the opposite…lot of younger people needing no salary and learning on the job, at least that’s what I saw in the IT department of my college.
on July 27th, 2010 at 4:37 pm